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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax K-30, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was manufactured 3 years after the K-30 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 II matches up vs the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-30

 E-M1 II K-30 
ReleasedSeptember 2016October 2012Newer by 48 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 K-30 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-30

 E-M1 II K-30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax K-30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II against the K-30.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and K-30 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The pic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and K-30.

All in all, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Olympus E-M1 II will provide extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (574g)
great ISO range (25,600)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography info
Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
72
lighter than others in class (574g)
environment proofing
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (350 shots)
60
environment proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging advice
Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone support
lighter than others in class (574g)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-30
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-30
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-30
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-09-19 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1312 1129
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual One
Cost at launch $1,700 $525